1999 Suzuki Vitara problems
The 1999 Suzuki Vitara has 63 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (24%) concerns suspension. After that come engine (11%) and transmission (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 63 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 24% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 2 injuries reported.
It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving at 45 MPH a collision occurred, consumer's vehicle hit another vehicle in the rear. Upon impact, air bag did not deploy. Consumer sustained bad injuries.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 suzuki vitara. While driving at an unknown speed the vehicle accelerated on its own. When the contact applied the brakes they failed to engage. The vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into a truck and caused serious damages to the vehicle. The contact sustained a torn ligament to her arm, skin tissue injuries, and a concussion. The contact stated that she received a recall notice for the accelerator pedal after the crash occurred. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed.
Consumer was driving at 5-10 MPH going around a left hand curve when steering spindle failed ,completly snapped, causing loss of vehicle control, and resulting in an accident.consumer claimed it was already 1/3 snapped, defective from the factory.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 suzuki vitara. The contact stated that he has extreme difficulty turning the steering column because it remains in a fixated position. He inspected the steering fluid and concluded that the levels were normal. The dealer stated that although he was experiencing the same failure mentioned in NHTSA campaign id number 98v324002 (steering:wheel and handle bar), the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired.
While driving at night, brakes were applied in an emergency stop to avoid hitting a deer running across the highway. There was a loud bang noise from the front of the car.anchor for the right "a" arm is rusted out in the frame front cross member causing the vehicle to dive to the left and into the oncoming lane of traffic when the brakes were applied to avoid hitting a deer crossing the road. Frame cross member and related parts will have to be replaced. Vehicle is now unstable going down the road.